Visiting the Past

Granary in Southern Michigan - this granary was once part of a thriving dairy farm in Michigan, both have now been deserted and forgotten by most but not by me.
@byfaithonly (10698)
United States
May 10, 2009 7:57pm CST
I wasn’t going to post a discussion today but as I think of getting ready for bed I can’t hold back until tomorrow night. Fore warning – I won’t be able to reply to any responses until tomorrow evening when I get home from work but look forward to some positive responses after a 10 shift at the call center (nothing positive in the day ahead I’m sure). This discussion is centered not just on ‘what I did Mother’s Day’ but more importantly doing something I’ve put off doing for almost 20 years. It centers on the photo I’ve attached here… You see, over 40 years ago this ‘granary’ was the club house for me and 3 friends. It was owned by the grandfather of 2 of the other girls and was one of many farm buildings on the Michigan dairy farm. I actually wrote and article posted on AC last fall about a party we had there one time but the granary was much much more to me than just that party. My friends and I spent hour upon hours in this condemned building (it wasn’t condemned then). We planned our lives ahead, solved the world’s problems, and dreamed of amazing things to come. For over 20 years I’ve driven past this building on the way to my Mom’s house and have watched it fall apart with each passing. I had lost touch with my friends over the years with all of use going in different directions. A few years ago I came up with an idea for a story to add to my book about this granary but wanted a photo to go with it. Today I got my photos but even more than that – not wanting the people who lived in the house next to the granary to call the police when they saw someone wandering around in the weeds around the granary I gutted up and went to the door. Having no idea on earth who lived there now… My best friend and her family used to live there – and today I found 2 of her sisters still living there. All these years, all the times I’ve passed by, we’re back in touch and not only am I thrilled but think the sisters were too. We spent a couple hours visiting and my friend will be ‘home’ in two weeks and the older sister got my phone number before I left so my friend can call when she gets here. I know this has been long but 2 questions: Was I crazy going up to a house after all these years and not knowing who lived there? Have you ever done something like this (was the outcome good or bad)?
4 people like this
2 responses
• Philippines
11 May 09
visiting the past is very nice, id like to go back home too. haven't been there for sometime already. wonder what could have changed and what remained the same. (childhood memories, old friends, old house) i haven't really checked my past i had been trying to move forward ever so slowly in life and i cant let past things slow me down even more, but i really do wish i can go back
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
12 May 09
I agree we need to go forward and we can't ever really 'go back' but I do feel a since of relief and joy at making that connection with my past particularly since that family gave me some of the greatest joy in my lifetime.
• United States
11 May 09
To answer your first question, I think you were pretty crazy to do that, but then I'm not you. I suppose somewhere deep inside you wanted to know what became of that old place, and perhaps hoping to find the club house you and your friends hung out in. To answer your question, no, I have never done anything like that in my life. I know I said it was crazy, but I kinda wish I could have a crazy moment like that.
2 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
11 May 09
I think you got it partically right - I did/do want those times at the clubhouse back but deeper than that I think part of why I haven't 'stopped' before was a fear that there would be 'strangers' in the house. I spent many of the best times of my life with this family and the thought of strangers living in that house hurt. I can't tell you how much joy I felt when I saw the two sisters on the front porch.
1 person likes this